Tamil Nadu records highest number of wildlife crimes among southern states: RTI query

According to the Wildlife Crime Control Bureau, these figures were collected from the respective state forest departments and police departments.

In 2020, 2021, 2022, and 2023 (till July), Karnataka logged 25, 16, 26, and three cases of wildlife crimes, respectively. While no poaching case was recorded in the state in 2022 and 2023, 13 and four cases were lodged in 2020 and 2021, respectively, the data said.

Tamil Nadu recorded 155 wildlife crime cases and 41 cases of poaching since 2020 – which is the highest among the southern states. The states of Andhra Pradesh and Kerala recorded 122 and 15 wildlife crime cases, respectively. Further, eight and 21 cases of poaching were registered in Andhra Pradesh and Kerala, respectively.

Tamil Nadu registered 31 and six cases of poaching in 2020 and 2021 and two cases each in 2022 and 2023, thereby totalling 41 cases. While no case of poaching was reported till now in 2023, three cases each in 2020 and 2022 and two cases in 2021 were recorded in Andhra Pradesh. In Kerala, no poaching case was registered in 2022 and 2023, but 14 and seven cases of poaching were recorded in 2020 and 2021, respectively.

“The accused who are nabbed in cases of wildlife crimes are produced before the magistrate and most of the cases are taken to a logical end. The cases of poaching have come down. We conduct anti-snare drives regularly. The forest department also conducts awareness programs in villages abutting sanctuaries and national parks,” a senior official from the Karnataka forest department said, requesting anonymity.

Karnataka Forest and Environment Minister Eshwar Khandre Tuesday instructed the state forest department to take action against the installation of illegal electric fences which has resulted in the death of elephants. Installation of electric fences to ward off animals is also a crime under Wildlife Protection Act. “This year nine elephants have died in electrocution. I have instructed the forest department to take action in this regard,” he said.